Who is Dr. Makanee from Startide Rising and what is their importance? Startide_Rising English & Literature Dr. Makanee | Startide Rising

A small, female neo-dolphin, Makanee serves as ship's surgeon aboard the exploration vessel Streaker. She believes that a physician must be "part intellectual and part alchemist, part sleuth and part shaman," and that medical school does not prepare one also to be a soldier and politician (pg. 170). A fifth of the crew regularly shows up with psychosomatic complaints at every sick call. Dr. Gillian Baskin and autodocs help Makanee treat the survivors of the tsunami that strikes while they are prospecting outside the ship. Makanee operates twice on Capt. Creideiki after he is electrocuted, and she grows quite belligerent when she cannot talk to Gillian about Creideiki's continuing care because of a communications blackout. She agrees with Metz argument that Takkata-Jim must maintain a chain of command until the ship's council votes on a permanent appointment, but privately suspects foul play and conspiracy. She inspires Midshipfin Akki to contact Gillian, which leads to his murder.